Logitech Harmony Universal Remote users may find this interesting

[cmdrdredd]

It appears that Logitech has a few new harmony devices I did not see before. They have the Harmony Ultimate that has both IR and Bluetooth (no need for extra attachments for new consoles), the Harmony ultimate hub that uses your smartphone with a special harmony app to control up to 8 devices via IR and BlueTooth, and the Harmony Smart control which includes the Harmony hub but also a traditional remote to use when your phone is unavailable. It does not appear we will have a way to use our existing remotes without bluetooth. Once the Bluetooth codes are available the remotes will function with the new consoles. I like the idea of using my phone as the touchscreen for one touch functionality while also having a basic remote that offers one touch functionality for times when I may not be home or my phone is in the other room.

Thought others may be interested because I use harmony remotes and now may upgrade once these are functional with the new systems (for blu-ray playback). The nice thing is it will allow you to control closed cabinet devices.

Harmony Ultimate $350
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-ultimate?crid=60

Harmony Smart Control $130
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-smart-control?crid=60

Harmony Ultimate Hub $99
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-ultimate-hub?crid=60

 

[KeithTalent]

Ah, so I can't use my current Harmony 650 with the new consoles? I assumed there would be some sort of code update or something that would make it work.

I feel I saw the Ultimate when I was buying mine, but it seemed like overkill for me. I also like that I can just use batteries in my current remote. The Harmony I had prior to this one started having charging issues after about a year or so and it drove me nuts. Swapping in AAs is so much better and easier.

KT

 

[EightySix Four]

Ah, so I can't use my current Harmony 650 with the new consoles? I assumed there would be some sort of code update or something that would make it work.

I feel I saw the Ultimate when I was buying mine, but it seemed like overkill for me. I also like that I can just use batteries in my current remote. The Harmony I had prior to this one started having charging issues after about a year or so and it drove me nuts. Swapping in AAAs is so much better and easier.

KT

From Microsoft:

Q: Will there be a remote control for Xbox One? / Why is there not a remote for launch?

A: ...We will also publish our Xbox One infrared remote control codes at launch for existing 3rd party universal remotes to use.

 

[cmdrdredd]

The console has no IR port so how do you control it via IR? Kinect? If you need Kinect plugged in it's still going to not function for me as I cannot use the Kinect with my current setup. It's too large.

 

[EightySix Four]

The console has no IR port so how do you control it via IR? Kinect? If you need Kinect plugged in it's still going to not function for me as I cannot use the Kinect with my current setup. It's too large.

Sounds like it won't work for you then.

 

[boomhower]

I've used the Smart Control for several months and absolutely love it. I've owned several Harmony remotes in the past and this is by far my favorite.

 

[purbeast0]

i'm hoping/assuming my roomie remote will work just fine with the ps4 and x1 and i wont' have to have some stupid logitech adapter for my ps4 just to get ir signals to it.

 

[cmdrdredd]

i'm hoping/assuming my roomie remote will work just fine with the ps4 and x1 and i wont' have to have some stupid logitech adapter for my ps4 just to get ir signals to it.

Well supposedly they will be able to get it to function via Bluetooth so you dont need IR, but I will wait until things work 100% before I decide to buy a new remote or not.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Sounds like it won't work for you then.

I'll have to purchase this Bluetooth Logitech thing and use my phone then. Once the system is out I will evaluate the viability of having the kinect hooked up if indeed you need kinect for IR functionality.

 

[purbeast0]

Well supposedly they will be able to get it to function via Bluetooth so you dont need IR, but I will wait until things work 100% before I decide to buy a new remote or not.

yeah i don't want bluetooth i want ir, which is why i had to spend $50 on that dumbass adapter for ps3.

 

[cmdrdredd]

yeah i don't want bluetooth i want ir, which is why i had to spend $50 on that dumbass adapter for ps3.

Yeah heh I have the same adapter. Maybe they will have an IR adapter that runs through the Bluetooth connection. I think someone makes such a thing currently I just don't know enough about how the new systems work and all that. I may end up having to try to position the kinect so I can use IR once Logitech has the codes to program my harmony one.

 

[KeithTalent]

Ugh, so I need a new stupid remote? It works with the 360, why the hell does the Playstation not have IR? Grrr.

KT

 

[cmdrdredd]

Ugh, so I need a new stupid remote? It works with the 360, why the hell does the Playstation not have IR? Grrr.

KT

PS3 used Bluetooth as well as it lacked an IR port.

 

[KeithTalent]

PS3 used Bluetooth as well as it lacked an IR port.

Yes I know. I was hoping they would have corrected that stupidity by now.

KT

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yes I know. I was hoping they would have corrected that stupidity by now.

KT

I think more and more devices will drop IR as time goes on in favor of Bluetooth.

 

[jaha2000]

I have a smart control as well. Built in bluetooth in the thing.
Best remote i have ever had. Its nice to be able to turn everything on with my phone from upstairs and by the time i get down to my basement, everything is up and running.

 

[Aikouka]

I wonder how long it's going to take Apple to file suit against Logitech for that remote. Just look at this image...

Those delete buttons in the corner are the exact same as what Apple used prior to iOS 7:

Oh, and the idea of having to pay $300 for what should be a $30 remote to control my PlayStation 4 does not sound acceptable. I've never understood the need for universal remotes. I touch my TV remote twice... to turn on the TV and to turn it off. I usually never adjust my volume, so my AVR's remote just sits there. So, if I'm using my HTPC, I use my Gyration remote, or if I'm using my PS3, I'm using my PS3 remote or controller. Hell, if I'm just watching a Blu-Ray, then I just plop the disc in, which turns the PS3 on. Turning the PS3 on makes it turn everything else on via HDMI-CEC.

EDIT:

I sent out a tweet to Yoshida Shuhei hoping I could get a bit of info about a remote (since the PS3 remote doesn't work with the PS4), and I included a bit about the Logitech remote. Logitech responded stating that they cannot comment at this time, but to keep watching for future updates. After translating the usual PR speak, it sounds like there may be PS4 support.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Well, the benefit for me is I can control my AVR, my cable box, TV, PS3, 360, XB1, PS4, and PC with one remote(or my phone).

When I want to watch cable I press one button and it will turn on the appropriate devices, set the correct inputs and load up my favorite channel list. When I press volume it will control the volume of my AVR, when I press guide it will bring up the channel guide. So I don't need to grab for a separate remove to press mute on my AVR for example.

 

[artemicion]

I wonder how long it's going to take Apple to file suit against Logitech for that remote. Just look at this image...

Those delete buttons in the corner are the exact same as what Apple used prior to iOS 7:

Oh, and the idea of having to pay $300 for what should be a $30 remote to control my PlayStation 4 does not sound acceptable. I've never understood the need for universal remotes. I touch my TV remote twice... to turn on the TV and to turn it off. I usually never adjust my volume, so my AVR's remote just sits there. So, if I'm using my HTPC, I use my Gyration remote, or if I'm using my PS3, I'm using my PS3 remote or controller. Hell, if I'm just watching a Blu-Ray, then I just plop the disc in, which turns the PS3 on. Turning the PS3 on makes it turn everything else on via HDMI-CEC.

EDIT:

I sent out a tweet to Yoshida Shuhei hoping I could get a bit of info about a remote (since the PS3 remote doesn't work with the PS4), and I included a bit about the Logitech remote. Logitech responded stating that they cannot comment at this time, but to keep watching for future updates. After translating the usual PR speak, it sounds like there may be PS4 support.

There's value in having a single remote that has one-button activity features that even an idiot can figure out. If you can't appreciate that value, I can loan you my mother-in-law for a month and you can deal with the daily routine of her nagging you about how to turn all your A/V crap on.

 

[pw38]

nm

 

[gorcorps]

Are they going to offer the ultimate remote on its own? I like the idea of the hub working with my phone, but don't need a new harmony now so it's wasted money. Down the road though I'd like to get the remote without the hub.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Are they going to offer the ultimate remote on its own? I like the idea of the hub working with my phone, but don't need a new harmony now so it's wasted money. Down the road though I'd like to get the remote without the hub.

The remote requires the hub because it communicates with it via bluetooth and the HUB sends the IR signal to the devices. Am I not understanding it correctly?

 

[boomhower]

Are they going to offer the ultimate remote on its own? I like the idea of the hub working with my phone, but don't need a new harmony now so it's wasted money. Down the road though I'd like to get the remote without the hub.

The remote alone is the Harmony Touch.

 

[gorcorps]

The remote alone is the Harmony Touch.

Thanks

I didn't go searching past the links in the op so I didn't see it

 

[cmdrdredd]

Alert here for Harmony Remote users. My Harmony One works with the Xbox One natively with no Kinect hooked up. Let me clarify, in the harmony setup software I told it I have an Xbox One and programmed the remote to turn the inputs etc. It turns on my console without any extra IR receivers and no Kinect plugged into the system at all. I'll test the controller a bit once it completes the update.

I am assuming it uses the same IR functionality of the Xbox 360 for this.

edit: It works but only if I set the activity as watch a dvd. otherwise I cannot use the remote to scroll through the menus.